Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI) has announced victory in a long-running patent lawsuit in Germany brought by Durst Fototechnik Digital Technology GmbH against EFI.

On December 23, 2011, a German appeals court concluded that the Durst utility model is not valid and is not enforceable. A utility model is an intellectual property right that protects inventions, similar to a U.S. patent. Durst filed suit against EFI on the utility model in 2007. From the outset, EFI maintained that the technology had been in use well before Durst's utility model was issued. A German trial court agreed with EFI in 2009, and, on Friday (December 23rd,) the appeals court did, too.

"We are pleased with the decision by the German appeals court," said EFI's General Counsel, Bryan Ko. "While we hope not to face such unfounded accusations again, EFI will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and will seek to protect our innovation and proprietary rights."